Panel positioning device and associated methods

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of panel positioning devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a panel positioning device includes a vise grip handle portion with first and second arms extending therefrom. First and second plates can be attached to the first and second arms, respectively. The first plate can provide a surface upon which a panel to be attached to a wall can be rested prior to being mounted. The first plate can provide a space between a flashing and the panel to be mounted. The second plate can extend vertically substantially perpendicular to the first plate. The panel positioning device can be secured directly to the flashing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/131,146 filed Mar. 10, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to devices for use in installing wall or other types of panels and, more particularly, to panel positioning devices for providing a gap or space between a wall panel and flashing.

BACKGROUND

Various types of clamping mechanisms are used to install and align siding or shingles. Generally, these clamping mechanisms are secured directly to siding or shingles that have already been installed. For example, some existing clamping mechanisms include upper arms and lower arms designed to clamp a portion of pre-installed siding between the arms. These clamping mechanisms allow a user to space successive rows of siding or shingles relative to each other such that overlap of the successive rows is consistent.

Materials generally found on a construction jobsite, such as plywood spacers or flat carpenter's pencils, are used to space wall panels in a desired vertical position above flashing attached to a wall, as well as support the panel prior to fastening it to the wall. Such spacers are generally manually held in place by a panel installer or user. This requires an installer to manually support or hold the both the spacer and the panel simultaneously in a desired position. It can be difficult for a single person to hold both a spacer and a panel, and as a result one or both of these items often slips out of position. Further, panels are often fairly heavy and installers often must use both hands to hold the panel such that two or more people are required to hold both the panel and spacer in place during installation. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide accurate and easy single-person panel installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are rear isometric, front isometric, bottom isometric and side views, respectively, of a panel positioning device configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views illustrating the panel positioning device of FIGS. 1A-1D in an open position and a closed position, respectively relative to a wall flashing.

FIG. 2C is a side view illustrating the panel positioning device of FIGS. 1A-1D with the upper plate adjusted to accommodate a flashing of a different width.

FIGS. 2D-2E illustrate top views of the panel positioning device of FIGS. 2B and 2C respectively.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the panel positioning device of FIGS. 1A-1D in a closed position relative to a wall flashing and panels.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view illustrating two of the panel positioning devices of FIGS. 1A-1D in closed positions relative to a wall flashing and panel.

FIG. 4B is a close-up view of a portion of the panel positioning devices illustrated in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology describes various embodiments of panel positioning devices and systems for providing or creating a desired space (e.g., gap) between a panel to be secured to a wall and an existing flashing secured to the wall. The panel can be a wall panel, siding, trim, shingle, strip or drywall, and the flashing can be a Z-metal or Z-bar type flashing. The gap between the panel and flashing and ensures that moisture build up is prevented or restricted between the panel and the wall. For example, the flashing may direct or shed moisture away from the wall. By spacing the bottom edge of the panel apart from the flashing by a suitable distance, the device can also inhibit moisture damage along the bottom edge of the panel. In one embodiment, for example, the panel positioning device includes an actuator, such as first and second levers defining a handle portion. The panel positioning device can also include a locking mechanism so that the panel positioning device can be removably securable to the flashing at a desired location or position along the flashing. The panel positioning device can include first and second arms coupled to the actuator, a panel support coupled to the first arm, and a back member coupled to the second arm. The panel support, for example, can be a first plate and the back member can be a portion of a second plate. The first plate can have a thickness such that when the panel positioning device is secured to the flashing, a desired vertical space is created between the panel and flashing when the panel is positioned or resting on the first plate. As described in greater detail below, the panel positioning device can also include other features to enhance operation, improve ease of adjustment, improve functionality and/or increase product life. The locking mechanism can be a Vise-Grip® type device or other self-locking mechanisms (e.g., spring-loaded, clamping, or other biasing devices) allowing the panel positioning device to be removably securable to the flashing. Another feature can include removable pieces of different thickness to allow the panel positioning device to provide various sized-spaces between the flashing and panel.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1A-4 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with panel positioning devices, clamping mechanisms, vise grips, handles, wall panels, sidings, shingles, roofing, flashings, studs, etc. have not been set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the present technology.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the present technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can add other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate rear isometric, front isometric, bottom isometric and side views, respectively, of a panel positioning device 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D together, in one aspect of this embodiment, the panel positioning device 100 includes an actuator 102, such as a grip or handle portion. The actuator 102 has levers 104 (identified individually as a first lever 104 a and a second lever 104 b) that define a handle and can be pulled apart to open and pushed together to close the panel positioning device 100. The panel positioning device 100 also includes first and second arms 106 a, 106 b, which can be upper and lower arms or jaws, operatively coupled to the actuator 102. In other embodiments, the levers 104 can be pushed together to open and released to close the panel positioning device 100

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the panel positioning device 100 has a locking mechanism 110 such that the panel positioning device 100 can be locked in a closed position in which the positioning device 100 is secured or otherwise attached directly to a wall flashing 214 (shown in FIG. 2A). The locking mechanism 110 can be similar to or the same as a locking mechanism used in a Vise-Grip® clamping device (hereafter a “vise-grip” locking mechanism) shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,070, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and assigned to Irwin Industrial Tool Company. This type of locking mechanism has a compound link and a biasing spring that work together with the pivot points between the first and second arms 106 a, 106 b to lock the arms in the closed position. In the case of a Vise-Grip® type locking mechanism, a bolt 108 is threaded to one of the levers 104 to adjust the spacing of or between the first and second arms 106 a and 106 b in the closed position. The adjustable spacing provided by the bolt 108 enables the panel positioning device 100 to accommodate and be secured to panels and/or flashings of various sizes or thicknesses. The other lever 104 includes a release lever 112 that pushes the levers 104 a, 104 b apart to unlock the panel positioning device 100 such that it can be removed from the flashing 214 after the panel is installed or mounted as described further below with respect to FIGS. 3-4. In other embodiments, the panel positioning device 100 can include other various types of locking mechanisms 110, such as spring-loaded or other mechanisms, for securing the panel positioning device 100 to the flashing 214. For example, referring to FIG. 1D, a latch 140 can be pivotally attached to one of the levers 104 a, 104 b at a pivot pin 142 so that the latch 140 can engage a catch 144 the other lever 104 a, 104 b in a manner that prevents the levers 104 a, 104 b from moving apart from each other to secure the panel positioning device 100 to the flashing 214.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second arms 106 a, 106 b can be movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to each other as the panel positioning device 100 moves between the open and closed positions. The panel positioning device 100 includes a panel support 118, such as first plate 118 (e.g., horizontal plate), attached to the first arm 106 a and a second plate 120 attached to the second arm 106 b. The first plate 118 is configured to extend at least substantially horizontally and the second plate 120 is configured to extend at least substantially vertically when the panel positioning device 100 is in a closed position. The first arm 106 a, first plate 118, second arm 106 b, and second plate 120 together define a clamp that is operably coupled to the locking mechanism 110. The first plate 118 provides a flat (e.g., planar), horizontally extending top surface upon which a bottom edge of the panel to be installed can rest when the panel positioning device 100 is secured to the flashing 214 in the closed position. The second plate 120 provides a vertically extending surface defining a back member for securing the panel positioning device 100 to the flashing 214. As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the positioning device 100 can include a bracket 124 attached to the first plate 118, and the back member of the second plate 120 can be defined by an overhang portion 122 (e.g., projection, lip, extension) that overlaps a portion of the bracket 124. The overhang portion 122 can have a beveled top edge as shown in FIG. 1D. For example, the support bracket 124 can be an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal leg 126 and a vertical leg 128. The extension portion 122 can extend substantially parallel to the vertical leg 128 when the panel positioning device 100 is in the closed position.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D, the first plate 118 includes one or more pieces (e.g., 3) stacked or layered on top of each other. For example, the first plate 118 can have a base or bottom piece 130 secured to and over an end portion of the first arm 106 a using a weld, adhesive, screw or other suitable fastener. The first plate 118 can further include a middle piece 132 and upper piece 134 secured to the bottom piece 130 by a weld, adhesive, screw or other suitable fastener. For example, as illustrated, the middle piece 132 and upper piece 134 can include one or more slots 136 configured to receive a bolt, screw or other suitable fastener 246 for removably securing the middle piece 132 and upper piece 134 to the bottom plate 130. This allows a user to adjust the space between the flashing 214 and the bottom edge of a panel as desired. A user can switch (e.g., replace) the middle piece 132 and/or upper piece 134 with pieces of desired thicknesses. Additionally, the elongated slots 136 (e.g., oval, elliptical) allow a user to adjust the horizontal position of the middle and upper pieces 132, 134 (e.g., rearward or forward relative to the flashing 214) depending on the position of fasteners 246 (not shown in FIGS. 1A-1D) within the slots 136 to secure the pieces 132, 134 in position and accommodate different width or dimensioned flashings 214. In other embodiments, the first plate 118 can include various numbers of pieces (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and/or 10). The plates 118 can be of various thicknesses to provide a desired space (e.g., gap) above the flashing 214 as desired.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views illustrating the panel positioning device 100 in open and closed positions, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Referring to FIG. 2A, the panel positioning device 100 is in an open position before being secured directly to the flashing 214. The flashing 214 shown in FIG. 2A is a Z-metal type flashing having a vertically extending upper section 215 a, a horizontally extending section 215 b, and a vertically extending lower section 215 c to form the Z-metal shape. The levers 104 a, 104 b are configured to be pulled apart to move the arms 106 a, 106 b apart from each other in the open position such that the panel positioning device 100 can be moved into position with respect to the flashing 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the overhang portion 122 of the second plate 120 is positioned behind the lower section 215 c of the flashing 214. The accordingly positions the overhand portion 122 between the lower section 215 c and the stud or other portion of the wall to which the panel is to be secured. The bolt 108 can be adjusted accordingly such that the panel positioning device 100 can accommodate a thickness of the flashing 214 (e.g., section 215 c) as necessary. For example, the bite width or thickness can be adjusted.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the levers 104 a, 104 b are pulled toward each other to move the panel positioning device 100 into a closed position in which the positioned device is releasably secured to the flashing 214. More specifically, the vertical leg 128 of the support bracket 124 presses against a front side of the vertically extending lower section 215 c of the flashing 214, while the overhang portion 122 of the second plate 120 presses against a rear or backside of the lower section 215 c opposite the front side. Therefore, the lower section 215 c of the flashing 214 is clamped between the bracket 124 and the second plate 120. The combination of this assembly and the locking mechanism 110 enables the panel positioning device 100 to be releasably secured in place directly to the flashing 214 in a manner that is easy to remove and does not damage the flashing 214. It will be appreciate that the bracket 124 and the panel support 118 can be formed from a single piece of material in other embodiments instead of being separate components.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, a bottom portion (e.g., edge, side) 137 of the bottom or lower piece 130 forward or in front of the vertical leg 128 extends along and/or in contact with the horizontally extending section 215 b of the flashing 214 when the panel positioning device 100 is in a closed position secured to the flashing 214. The front edge and/or sides 138 of the pieces 130, 132, 134 are in contact and/or adjacent to the vertically extending upper section 215 a of the flashing 214.

As described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1D and illustrated in FIG. 2C, the elongated slots 136 allow position of the pieces 132 and 134 to be adjusted forward and rearward (e.g., toward and away from the flashing 214) as indicated by arrows 240 and 242 to accommodate panels 316 and/or flashings 214 (e.g., section 215 a and/or 215 b) of various thicknesses, widths and/or sizes. For example, the sections 215 a-215 c can have various and/or different dimensions relative to each other. FIGS. 2C-2D illustrate top views of the panel positioning device 100 of FIGS. 2B-2C. As illustrated, the pieces 132, 134 can be moved forward or rearward depending where fasteners 246 are aligned or positioned within the slots 136.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the panel positioning device 100 in use with siding panels 316 (identified individually by reference numbers 316 a and 316 b). The panels 316 generally come in various sizes, such as, but not limited to: 2′×2′, 4′×4′, 4′×8′, and/or 4×12′. The panels 316 also generally come in various thicknesses, such as, but not limited to: ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″, and/or 1″. By adding or subtracting the number of pieces 130, 132, 134 attached to the first arm 106 a or thicknesses of the pieces, a desired spacing above the flashing 214 can be achieved, for example, depending on thickness of the panel 316 and/or flashing 214 (e.g., thickness of section 215 b), panel specifications, and/or architectural aesthetics. Spacing and/or gaps provided above section 215 b of the flashing 214 can include, but are not limited to: ¼″, ⅜′, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″, 1″ and/or any value therebetween. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, the bottom piece 130 has a thickness of a ¼″ and the middle and upper pieces 132, 134 have thicknesses of ⅛″ each for a total thickness of ½″. Therefore, the panel 316 a can be spaced apart from section 215 b of the flashing 214 by ½″ when resting upon the first plate 118 and then installed or mounted to a wall 338. Therefore, the panel positioning device 100 can accommodate varying thicknesses of the flashing 214 along two different orientations (e.g., horizontal and vertical relative to the sections 215 a and 215 b.

FIG. 3 illustrates the panel positioning device 100 in a closed position secured to the flashing 214 with a first panel 316 a positioned or resting upon the upper plate 118 before being secured to the wall 338. As illustrated, the plates 118 support the first panel 316 a at a vertical position above a top of the horizontal section 215 b. The thickness of the plate 118 provides a gap of ½″ as described above. A second or bottom panel 316 b is secured to the wall 338 where a bottom side of the horizontal section 215 b contacts and/or rests upon a top edge of the bottom panel 316 b. A bottom portion of the vertically extending second plate 120 is positioned against and/or adjacent to a vertically extending portion of the bottom panel 316 b. The first and second plates 118, 120 extend at least substantially perpendicular to each other when the panel positioning device 100 is secured in position to the flashing 214.

As illustrated, the panel positioning device 100 spaces the panel 316 a at a desired elevation above the flashing 214. Additionally, it supports the weight of the panel 316 a before it is fastened to the wall 338. As a result, an installer need not support the weight of the panel 316 a while trying to install the panel 316 a to the wall 338. This enables a single person to install the panel 316 a at a desired vertical position and reduces the exertion needed to hold the panel at a desired elevation as panels can generally be heavy and difficult to hold and install. Further, the plates 118 can provide an increased horizontal surface onto which to rest or set the panel 316 a as compared to a spacer or pencil. Once the panel 316 a is in the desired position, the user can mount (e.g., install, secure) the panel 316 to the wall 338. After the panel 316 a is secured to the wall 338, a user can move the panel positioning device 100 to the open position to release the device from the flashing 214.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a pair of panel positioning devices 100 spaced apart from each other to space and/or position the panel 316 a above the flashing 214. In certain embodiments, two or more panel positioning devices 100 can be used with the panel 316 a when required (e.g., with a larger width panel) to provide a consistent space between the panel 316 a and flashing 214 along the width or length of the panel 316 a. However, in certain embodiments, a single panel positioning device 100 is sufficient. Further, the panel positioning device 100 allows a user to use both hands to install, hold, and/or move the panel 316 a relative to the flashing 214.

Although the foregoing embodiment illustrates one possible use of the panel positioning device 100, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the panel positioning device 100 disclosed herein can be used in a wide variety of different construction or other fields. For example, the panel positioning device 100 can be secured to other structures including studs, walls, panels, siding, and/or roofing. Additionally, the panel positioning device 100 can be used without one or without a portion of any of the components and mechanisms described herein and/or with different components and mechanisms. For example, the panel positioning device 100 can be provided with a spring-loaded handle with a locking mechanism not including a vise grip, provided without slots 136, and/or with a single or monolithically formed first plate 118 and/or bracket 124.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention, Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. 

I/we claim:
 1. A panel positioning device, comprising: a clamp having a first arm, a second arm, a first plate coupled to the first arm, and a second plate coupled to the second arm, wherein the first and second arms move between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the first plate extends at least substantially horizontal in the closed position and second plate extends at least substantially vertical in the close position; and a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the clamp to releasably hold the clamp in the closed position.
 2. The panel positioning device of claim 1 wherein the second plate has an extension configured to be positioned behind a vertical section of a flashing attached to a wall and the first plate has a top surface, and wherein the clamp is configured to position the top surface of the first plate at a desired elevation for a bottom surface of a panel in the closed position.
 3. The panel positioning device of claim 1, wherein: the extension of the second plate has a beveled edge configured to slide under the vertical section of the flashing such that the extension is readily positionable between the vertical section of the flashing and a portion of a wall behind the flashing; the device further includes an L-shaped bracket attached to the first arm, the bracket having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, and the vertical leg of the bracket being positioned with respect to the extension of the second plate in the closed position such that the vertical leg of the bracket and the extension of the second plate clamp the vertical section of the flashing therebetween; and the first plate is attached to the horizontal leg of the bracket.
 4. The panel positioning device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator that moves the clamp from the open position to the closed position.
 5. The panel positioning device of claim 4 wherein the actuator has a plurality of levers including a first lever associated with the first arm and a second lever associated with the second arm.
 6. The panel positioning device of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a compound link and a biasing spring that work with the first and second arms to lock the first and second arms in the closed position.
 7. The panel positioning device of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch pivotally attached to one of the levers and a catch projecting from the other lever.
 8. The panel positioning device of claim 1 wherein the fir p ate is slideably coupled with respect to the first arm to move in a horizontal plane.
 9. The panel positioning device of claim 1 wherein the first plate includes a plurality of pieces including a bottom piece coupled to the first arm and a removable piece that can be attached to the bottom pieces by a fastener to adjust the thickness of the first plate.
 10. The panel positioning device of claim 1 wherein the first plate has a thickness such that in the closed position a bottom surface of the first plate engages a horizontal section of a flashing and a top surface of the first plate is at a desired gap distance from the horizontal section of the flashing.
 11. A panel positioning device, comprising: an actuator having a first lever and a second lever pivotally coupled together to move between an open position and a closed position; a first arm extending from the first lever; a second arm extending from the second lever; a panel support coupled to the first arm, wherein the panel support has a top surface; a back member coupled to the second arm; and wherein first and second arms are configured such that the back member clamps against a backside of a vertical section of a flashing in the closed position to releasably secure the panel positioning device to the flashing, and the top surface of the panel support extends horizontally at an elevation spaced apart from a horizontal section of the flashing by a gap.
 12. The panel positioning device of claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably hold the first and second levers in the closed position.
 13. The panel positioning device of claim 11 further includes an L-shaped bracket attached to the first arm, the bracket having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, and the vertical leg of the bracket being positioned with respect to the back member in the closed position such that the vertical leg of the bracket and the back member clamp the vertical section of the flashing therebetween; and the panel support is attached to the horizontal leg of the bracket.
 14. The panel positioning device of claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably hold the first and second levers in the closed position.
 15. The panel positioning device of claim 11 wherein: the panel support comprises a first plate; and the back member comprises an extension of a second plate, wherein a portion of the second plate is coupled to the second arm and the extension projects from the portion of the second plate attached to the second arm. 